DETROIT — These days it’s just another stall at Detroit Red Wings’ headquarters.

Crammed with Niklas Kronwall’s gear — and wedged between the lockers of Brian Lashoff and Kent Huskins — it happens to be the one-time home of Nicklas Lidstrom, the legendary defender who hung up his skates after last winter.

Nothing fancy about the seat now.

No commemorative plaque.

“We didn’t retire a spot like Joe Sakic,” said Kyle Quincey, who, before the Red Wings, skated for the Colorado Avalanche. “But with all the defencemen we have now, I guess we need the spots, right?”

Sakic’s stall in the Avs dressing room, if you’re wondering, is actually encased in Plexi-glass. Seriously.

But Lidstrom, career-wise, takes a back seat to no one, even Sakic.

In his 20 seasons with the Wings, the Swedish defender won four Stanley Cups and seven Norris Trophies. So putting his absence into perspective is actually quite simple.

“His nicknames were The Perfect Human and Norris,” said Quincey. “Those nicknames speak for themselves.”

As for replacing No. 5 . . . .

“Well, we brought in Huskie to fill that void,” Quincey cracked as, within earshot, Huskins peeled off his gear. “So we’re leaning on him to take over 35 minutes a game. He does it all.”

SWISS POSSE

Damien Brunner, in a way, is familiar with the Flames. At least parts of the Flames.

After leading Switzerland’s National League A in scoring last season, Brunner ran into Bob Hartley’s bunch from Zurich in the playoffs.

“They had a pretty good run,” said Brunner, a coveted free agent who ended up in Hockeytown. “They won the championship out of seventh place. After Christmas, they won almost every game. He did a pretty good job coming into the league and winning (the championship) right away.”

Not surprisingly, Brunner is very much aware of countryman Sven Baertschi, too.

“I texted him (Monday), I wanted to go for dinner with him — too bad he’s still injured and couldn’t make the trip,” said the 26-year-old. “It’s big for Switzerland that we have young guys drafted that high — not only him, but also (New York Islanders’ prospect Nino) Niederreiter. That was a problem for Switzerland for a long time. We had no forwards in this league. I think it would be great and awesome if we . . . three forwards (played in the NHL) at the same time.

“I hope (Baertschi) gets his chance this year and plays some good hockey for Calgary.”

Already, Brunner has seen glimpses of the lad.

“I watched all of his five games (for the Flames) last year,” he said, “and I was cheering for him. This isn’t about rivalry or competition — this is big for Swiss hockey.”

“It’s a big opportunity,” said Brunner. “A challenge to get better every day, learn shift by shift, get adjusted, and also have some fun out there.”

TOOTOO TRAIN

Jordin Tootoo hasn’t noticed any of the trademark train whistles — high-decibel tooting had been a mainstay during his home-ice spins with the Nashville Predators — but his game remains the same.

Fifteen hits — and three scraps — in eight dates with his new employers, the Wings.

And still no whistles?

“Not that I can hear,” said Tootoo, grinning. “But my foundation is being a physical presence out there, creating energy, creating emotion. When you come to a new team, you want to keep it simple. I’m not trying to be the saviour.”

Unfazed, too, is the 30-year-old about joining the archrivals in the Central Division. The high-profile Wings had always been the enemy in Music City.

“It was a spontaneous thing that happened . . . and when the opportunity came up it was a no-brainer,” said Tootoo, who signed a three-year pact worth $5.7 million in the summer. “I was at the point in my career when change was needed. I want to give myself every opportunity to win a Stanley Cup. This is where I think that opportunity is to be had.

“Obviously, being on one team for nine years . . . I have lifetime friends in Nashville. It’s a city that matured me as a professional, both on and off the ice.”

VISOR FLAP

A scary situation a week ago — a stick in the mug — got Todd Bertuzzi thinking about visors.

The Wings’ lumbering forward is of two minds on the subject.

One, that shields should be worn by youngsters. (“A no-brainer. It should be mandatory. I believe in it.”)

Two, that he is not going to tack one onto his own helmet.

“It’s a personal decision,” Bertuzzi told the Detroit News. “I don’t ask you what pencil you like to use. I’m not trying to be a jerk. It’s just the way it is. It’s our office and we wear what we wear. Everybody wears different shoulder pads, different helmets and gloves, and all that.

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